Sports facilities operation services

Tender description

As a result of the Covid-19 crisis two leisure centres operated by Places for People Leisure Management Ltd on behalf of the Council (River Park Leisure Centre and Meadowside Leisure Centre) have been closed. In May 2020 the Council was informed by Places Leisure that it could not viably maintain the facilities and was seeking to exit from the arrangement. This announcement triggered an urgent and immediate need to seek an alternative provider to manage the transition of the facilities. The Council has appointed Sports and Leisure Management Ltd (Everyone Active) as operator of River Park Centre and Meadowside Leisure Centre under Regulation 32 (2) (c) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015. Given the current public health crisis, it was imperative that an urgent award was placed to ensure a smooth transition to the new provider and allow them time to implement the appropriate safety measures (in line with Government guidance). As a result of the Covid-19 crisis two leisure centres operated by Places for People Leisure Management Ltd on behalf of the Council (River Park Leisure Centre and Meadowside Leisure Centre) were closed in accordance with Government. In May 2020 the Council was informed by Places Leisure that it could not viably maintain the facilities and was seeking to exit from the arrangement. This announcement triggered an urgent and immediate need to seek an alternative provider to manage the transition of the facilities. A risk analysis conducted by the Council recognised that without intervention and the appointment of an alternative provider there could be significant adverse consequences for the local community, possibly resulting in a prolonged closure of the facilities. The Council’s aim is to enable the continuity of the leisure centre service provision, protect employment and avoid any detrimental impact on the long term viability of the leisure provision within Winchester. It is also imperative that access to sports and leisure facilities is retained for the residents of the community to support health and wellbeing in these difficult times. The Council has appointed Sports and Leisure Management Ltd (Everyone Active) as operator of River Park Centre and Meadowside Leisure Centre under Regulation 32 (2) (c) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015. Given the current public health crisis, it's imperative that an urgent award was placed to ensure a smooth transition to the new provider and allow them time to implement the appropriate safety measures (in line with Government guidance) prior to the reopening of the services in September 2020. The Council will run a competitive procurement process for a new operator for Meadowside Leisure Centre and anticipate to commence this by the end of 2020. It is intended that the management of River Park Leisure Centre will remain with Everyone Active until it is transitioned to the new Winchester Sport and Leisure Park in 2021.